MORE than 240 runners turned out to support Walford playgroup and run the Howling Bull Cross country race on Sunday (27th November).

The Monross Trailblazers team fielded eleven runners, their largest turnout for some time. The race also featured a Canicross event (runners with dogs) which started at 11am before the foot race at 11.15am.

After the race briefing, the runners assembled at the start line and were quickly underway, the start resembling the Grand National as the runners thundered across the field and through cold, wet puddles before beginning the climb into the woods behind Walford.

The lead pack pulled away from the main group with Andrew Stephens in contention, going well despite running the Blorenge fell race the previous day.

Barry Davies gave chase, with Luke Gray hot on his heels, progress slowing at the two mile mark and the Leys Hill climb. After the route levelled out, the pace quickened once again along the wooded tight single tracks with the best bit yet to come, the legendary optional suicide descent, which drops sharply through a rutted rain gully and down a two metre outcrop before breaking back onto the edge of the finishing field. Those crazy enough to take on the drop caught up with some of the more cautious runners, leading to fiercely competed sprints to the finish line and much welcomed tea and cake back at the village hall.

Andy Stephens finished third overall in 43:43, Barry Davies 10th in 46:22 from Luke Gray in 11th and 46:27. Nigel Baker was next home in 38th and 50:39, Dan Gray 41st, 51:00, James Fletcher 45th in 51:17, Bobby Pritchard 58th in 52:56, Mark Scrivens 71st in 54:16, Dave Knapper 82nd in 56:50, (Dave ran to and from the race!) Vanessa Ball in 94th (8th senior lady) in 57:44 and a cracking run from Ian Gray 110th in 58:43.

Monross are next in action at the Herefordshire XC league next Sunday (4th December) and are training in Ross from John Kyrle High School tonight (Wednesday 30th) at 6.30pm, with new members very welcome to come along!

Nine Spirit of Monmouth members also took part in the Howling Bull run on Sunday.

Alice Taylor won the ladies’ race, finishing in 49 minutes 38, ahead of more than 90 other female runners.

George Smith was the first runner home for the club overall, finishing in 48 minutes 26. This put George in 20th position in a field of more than 240 runners. To find out more about joining, visit spiritofmonmouth.co.uk.

Also tackling the Howling Bull were members of the Chepstow Harriers.

Ten Harriers took on race, and Chepstow’s women won the team prize with Georgie Prior, Niki Morgan, Lisa Jeffrey, Joc Dodd and Jen Danger Harding taking part.

Rob Hook, Paul Dodd, Steve Owen, Glen Meek, Tim Buckley also braved the bull run.

Individual prizes went to Georgie Prior who was third woman overall, and Joc Dodd, Steve Owen and Niki Morgan won their age categories.